Bacalzo: No breakdown of peace and order

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police chief Director General Raul Bacalzo maintained there is no breakdown of peace and order, particularly in Metro Manila where he said crime incidents have dropped.

Bacalzo reiterated his directive to all police regional, provincial, district and station commanders to prioritize the effort against street crimes as the police prepare for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan on Oct. 25.

“I think it will be unfair to the NCRPO (National Capital Regional Police Office), nakita nga naming nag-decrease pa ang insidente ng karahasan eh,” said Bacalzo. “But we are really concentrating on street crimes because of the situation (elections).”

Reports showed that incidents of robbery/hold up and cellphone snatching took place in Metro Manila. A grenade explosion took place along Taft Avenue in Manila, while hundreds of bar examinees and their friends were celebrating the end of bar examinations.

Bacalzo noted that 130,000 policemen nationwide will not likely have no time to rest after the barangay and SK elections. They have to prepare for the security measures for All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day and Christmas season.

“Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, mag-u-undas, pagkatapos ay pasko so tuloy tuloy yan, wala munang pahinga ang pulis,” said Bacalzo. (If you will notice after elections there’s All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, then Christmas. Security measures na yan expect na namin yan this year na walang pahinga ang pulis.”

At the same time, Bacalzo warned policemen against solicitations during Christmas season. It’s prohibited for policemen to solicit during Christmas season but it is also prohibited to solicit from them,” he said.